Manchester City will be taking on a Real Madrid side without one of their premier attacking talents, reports have revealed this week.
The Spanish giants are already under mounting pressure following a shock home defeat to Getafe, in a result that left them trailing Barcelona in the ongoing La Liga title race in Spain this season.
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Frustrations boiled over at the Bernabéu on Monday night, and concerns deepened further with fresh injury problems emerging within the squad to put their upcoming hopes into serious doubt.
With a crunch UEFA Champions League last-16 double-header against Manchester City fast approaching, the timing could hardly be worse for manager Alvaro Arbeloa and his Real Madrid side.
Already dealing with uncertainty surrounding Kylian Mbappé’s fitness amid ongoing checks on the Frenchman and a suspension to Franco Mastantuono in domestic competition, Real Madrid have now been dealt another devastating setback.
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As confirmed in various reports, Fabrizio Romano, and the Spanish giants themselves, Real Madrid winger Rodrygo will now be ruled out until the end of 2026 and for a maximum of 10 months.
The Brazilian international has sustained a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and a rupture of the lateral meniscus of his right leg, also ruling him out of action for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The injury represents a crushing blow for both club and country with Rodrygo a key component of Real Madrid’s attacking structure, offering pace, directness, and a consistent goal threat from wide areas.
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His absence strips Álvaro Arbeloa of one of his most dynamic options at a pivotal moment in the campaign, and the side must now regroup quickly with a trip to Celta Vigo looming before City arrive in the Spanish capital for the first leg of their Round of 16 encounter.
A domestic meeting with Elche follows between the two European ties, before the decisive return clash at the Etihad Stadium to decide the two clubs’ European fate.
The period concludes with a high-stakes derby against Atlético Madrid, meaning there is little time for Real Madrid to dwell on their misfortune. For Manchester City, meanwhile, the news will not alter preparations significantly, with Pep Guardiola’s side well aware of the depth and quality still available to the 14-time European champions.
